2 Samuel 5:1-25 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

At this point the second section in the first movement of the Book commences. David had won the heart of all Israel by his consistent justice and magnanimity toward those who stood in the way of his coming into full possession of the kingdom. He had mourned for Abner, recognizing his greatness. He had punished the murderers of Ish-bosheth.

It was enough. The people recognized the kingly qualities of the man against whom they had been fighting under the leadership of Abner, and so at last David commenced his reign over the whole nation.

His first victory was the taking of Jebus. The city was considered impregnable, and in taunt its inhabitants declared it to be defended by the blind and the lame, which, of course, we are not to suppose was actually the case. Against these so-called blind and lame Joab proceeded, and with great gallantry captured the fortress.

It was out of this incident that originated the story attributing to David hatred of the blind and lame. There is no evidence that he had any such hatred, as indeed his action toward Mephibosheth subsequently disproved.

An element of weakness in David manifested itself at this point when, having come into possession of the kingdom, he multiplied his concubines and wives. Of course, here, as always, his action must be measured by his times. This, however, does not prevent a glimpse of that side of his nature which eventually manifested itself in deadly sin.

Two victories were gained over the Philistines, and thus the position of the king was made more secure.

2 Samuel 5:1-25

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking,a David cannot come in hither.

7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

10 And David wentb on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons:c and they built David an house.

12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

20 And David came to Baalperazim,d and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burnede them.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23 And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Gebaf until thou come to Gazer.